St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-07-23
A BOY HERO.


The Brave Mansss In which He Saved Shs
Life Of . Hunted Priaes.
There are very few lives around
which more of roman ce clusters than
the career Of the young golden-haired
prince. Charles Edward Stuart, the
"Young Pretender." as he was called.
who battled 50 bravely. but 50 luck
lessly for . crown. No story Of the
Arabian Nights exceeds in interest tho
relation Of his wanderings and adven-
lures. Of his wonderful escapes. and
of the fidelity of the Highlanders to bis
cause after the battle Of Culloden,
when the troopers Of Cumberland were
searching for the fugitive prince over
every rood of ground in Scotland.
Every one is acquainted with the de-
votion of Lochiel. Of Derwentwater.: of
Frazer, and Flora Macdonald; but per-
haps everybody does not know Of the lit
tie highland boy who was as brave and
loyal - the rest and showed . mans
shrewd judgment and . soldiers valor
in saving the life of the hunted prince.
l think that you will all agree that Gil
bert Roy. though he was only fourteen.
was - much Of hero. and should be
remembered IS well Is these older ones
who occupy . much larger place in
history.
Young Gilbert was the SON and heir
Of Sir Donald Roy. who followed Prince
Edward tOthe fatal field of Culloden
Moor and lost his life there. Back to
the castle Of Craighopc. hidden in its
thick woods and its almost inaccessible
fastness among the rocks of Loch Roy
in Elginshire. the laird returned no
more alive; but to the secret tower. far
up above the shining waters Of the
Findhorn. the flying prince sought
shelter after the carnage. and found .
refuge safe and sure under the vencr-
able roof among the faithful clansmen
Of the fallen Donald Roy.
Safe enough it seemed. and removed
from all suspicion or danger; but one
morning. that Of the third day after the
battle. Gilbert Roy. with the keen eyes
Of boyhood. caught the CLINT Of arms
and detected the forms of q score Of
troopers advancing up the narrow path
way to the castle. How they got on
the track whether there was . secret
traitor, or whether il was mere lucky
guesswork. was never known, but any
way the discovery had been made. and
at an inopportuns moment - it
seemed.
The prince had not yet risen. and
Gilbert, with marvellous intuition for
one 80 young. sent trusty gillie to
acquaint him Of his peril. have him out
Of the castle by a back way. and con-
duct him through the woods far from
danger. while he himself prepared to
enact Sxsc de gWervs that would have
done credit to the best military genius
of his age.
Looking very handsome in his kits
and philibeg. his plaid brooched upon
his shoulder and q Glengarry cap sur
mounting the clear-cut Celtic face.
with it's keen blue eyes and flowing
yellow hsir-s youthful Graham or
Macdonald in miniature Gilbert Roy
seized his bow and ARROWS. weapons
which every Highland boy knows how
to use with the skill Of . Robin Hood,
and hastened to the low bartizan Of the
castle. that was some twenty feet from
the ground and guarded the passage to
the gate. There he stood ~ the horse
men rode up before the castle, the
tough yew bow bent in his hands, and
. cloth-yard shaft with = sharp steel
point two inches long pulled to the
head, and aimed directly at the heart
q the foremost rider.
"Halt whore 70 arer' cried the clear
boyish voice. with startling emphasis.
''Whs are ye. and what want ye herss'
The officer looked up and saw the
drawn bow, and the arrow held BY
the thumb and finger Of the brave
youngster; saw, too, that it was aimed
at his breast, for he was not moro than
thirty feet distant from the archer; hut
he regarded it - only boyish bravado.
You'll learn who an. jackanapes,
nyou 60 to playing tricks with . King .
officer. Know that I have . warrant to
search this old rookery. and some Of
your elders had best hasten and help
in the search. Il You do not want visit
from Duke William himself"
IN weel ~ muckle. thought, !"
declared the young hero. while his arm
never moved BY hairs breadth. ..Ye
can 6pd moo elders here. I'm thas